This article presents the results of the first season of archaeological fieldwork conducted at the site of Pacopampa, Cajamarca, by the Pacopampa Archaeological Project, which is organizad by the San Marcos University and the Japanese Nacional Museum of Ethnology. The data recovered from excavations, cleaning, and topographic mapping, allow us to confirm the prior chronology (of two phases) and suggest a third latest phase (Final Formative). Most of visible constructions correspond to the second phase (Pacopampa II). In addition, two construction sub-phases have been defined within this phase, while no structure have been clearly defined to the first phase (Pacopampa I). The ceramic patterns indicate strong linkages with archaeological sites located in the southern region ofCajamarca like Huacaloma and Kuntur Wasi. Nonetheless, radiocarbon dates put into question the chronological consid...

In this article we present some thoughts on the organization of the landscape around the ceremonial center Formative of Pacopampa (Ca. 1300-900 BC). Based on the analysis of a series of alignments of the architecture of Pacopampa and their relationship with landscape elements (visual axis), we propose that the sunken plaza square of the third platform was built during Pacopampa II (Ca. 900-500 BC) , and that this square was related to the observation of the output of the constellation of the Pleiades (visual axis 1). There is a gap in this axis that is called Black Lagoon. This observation also determined the orientation of other structures on the site: Place square of the second platform, and the mound La Laguna. The visual axis 1 is related to another alignment (visual axis 2) that crosses the center of the square frame of the third platform, and links the top of mound El Mirador to th...